Is it a sin to read material with strong sexual content on Reddit (that appears in comment threads)?

[tortiousconduct]

Okay, this is a bit of an odd question, but I was reading a post in r/AskReddit (on social news site Reddit, for anyone who doesn’t know what I’m talking about), which was not in and of itself a thread that was questionable, but I happened upon a comment by someone who fancied himself/herself a storyteller, and the story this person spun in this comment quickly devolved into a rather graphic sexual narrative. As soon as I saw where it was going, I stopped reading, but upon reading comments branching off of the story, my morbid curiosity got the better of me and I scrolled back up and read more of it. I still did not read the entire thing - once I realized “hey, I should probably not be reading this”, I exited the comment thread. Nothing came (as far as my personally doing anything sinful as a result) from my reading it, but I still feel bad for having read it. Should I take this to a confessor? Obviously, it’s something that’s a bit embarrassing to have to vocalize, so if it’s not a mortal sin, I’d rather avoid it. However, I am faithful to the sacrament of reconciliation, so I want to make sure I’m confessing it if I need to.

 

[His_angel]

I know the thread you’re referring to; saw that comment. I don’t think it would be a mortal sin, but if it bothers you then don’t do it again. Maybe you’ll get a better answer from reddit, r/Catholicism is pretty good and devout. It’s reddit, the comments can veer very off-course, if it’s bothersome I’ll just downvote/hide and move on.

 

[dshix]

Okay, this is a bit of an odd question, but I was reading a post in r/AskReddit (on social news site Reddit, for anyone who doesn’t know what I’m talking about), which was not in and of itself a thread that was questionable, but I happened upon a comment by someone who fancied himself/herself a storyteller, and the story this person spun in this comment quickly devolved into a rather graphic sexual narrative. As soon as I saw where it was going, I stopped reading, but upon reading comments branching off of the story, my morbid curiosity got the better of me and I scrolled back up and read more of it. I still did not read the entire thing - once I realized “hey, I should probably not be reading this”, I exited the comment thread. Nothing came (as far as my personally doing anything sinful as a result) from my reading it, but I still feel bad for having read it. Should I take this to a confessor? Obviously, it’s something that’s a bit embarrassing to have to vocalize, so if it’s not a mortal sin, I’d rather avoid it. However, I am faithful to the sacrament of reconciliation, so I want to make sure I’m confessing it if I need to.

The answer to your question lies in the fact that you “scrolled back up and read more of it.” You read more, after you knew that it was sexually impure content and would serve no purpose outside of arousal.

I will not say whether I think this is a mortal sin or not, because that is for you, being the person who did it, to discern. Talk to a priest for advice, in the confessional if you wish, but do it soon.

It is these small, seemingly harmless occasions of inordinate curiosity by which Satan draws you nearer to himself. Listen to your conscience and run from the temptations of the Deceiver.

 

[tjones80]

Reading is not a sin.

 

[dshix]

That is incorrect; it can be.